LONG SHELF-LIFE OF TALAROMYCES-FLAVUS IN COATING MATERIAL OF PELLETEDSEED

Spores of the biocontrol agent Talaromyces flavus were recovered from coating material of chinese aster and tomato seeds in which they were incorporated 17 years before. The seeds had been stored at room temper ature. About 20% of the ascospores had retained their heat resistance and survived treatment in aqueous suspension at 60-degrees-C for 30 mi n. None of the chinese aster seeds and 90% of the tomato seeds germina ted after the storage period. Presence of T. flavus during storage had not affected germinability of the seeds.